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Physical and humiliating punishment (PHP)

By April 2017, 52 countries have a total ban of corporal punishment in all settings. This means that a large majority of children in the world are living in countries where they are not protected against physical and humiliating punishment.

Children continue to be physically punished and deliberately humiliated in almost all societies and across all cultures as this practice remains far too common at home, in schools and institutions. Teachers, parents, and other caregivers often lack knowledge on how to guide children using nonviolent methods, and in many communities physical and humiliating punishment is deeply rooted in social norms and culture. In a humanitarian crisis, children are more at risk of physical and humiliating punishment, due to the increased stress on families, separation, and the breakdown of formal and informal safety nets.

Save the Children works towards preventing and protecting children from all forms of actual and threatened physical and humiliating punishment and bullying, in the home, in schools and in all other settings. This is done through advocating for legal reform and supporting awareness-raising initiatives leading to changes in attitudes and practices. We also promote parenting education and positive discipline programs, targeting caregivers, teachers and other people working with children. Children are seen as key actors throughout the process.

Save the Children uses the term Physical and Humiliating Punishment, instead of corporal punishment, to capture the wide array of disciplining methods used by adults towards children, which may include corporal or physical punishment, and the threat of it, as well as psychological punishment that belittles, scares or ridicules the child.

Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child requires states to take "all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child..."

Documents (207)

Breaking the Silence, an organisation of Israeli veterans who served during the Second Intifada in 2000, has released a booklet of soldier testimonies of the everyday life routine in the oPt – Israel’s “backyard”. The report attests to the mistreatment of

Violence against children and adolescents is a major problem in Nicaragua and often takes the form of physical and humiliating punishment from fathers, mothers, and other adults. This study reveals that 34.4% of women aged 15 to 49 who have children are u

The investigation to determine whether corporal punishment is allowed in the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) relies on the interpretation of relevant provisions within the Charter. This advocacy paper departs from the point

Produced by Save the Children India as part of its “Child Rights for Change” project, this handbook is intended to create awareness among children on different forms of child abuse and how they can protect themselves and others. This will hopefully empowe

A Save the Children fact sheet looking at key aspects of child protection with special focus on the sub-theme "children without appropriate care", which encompasses children who are not receiving suitable, continuous and quality care, nurture and guidance

Save the Children has developed this toolkit as a guide assisting the adults to consult with children on their protection issues in general and Corporal Punishment in particular. This toolkit can be appropriated to suit different situations and needs. It

Save the Children Sweden in collaboration with IKEA Social Initiative has initiated the holistic child rights programme 'CHAON-Children's Action against Oppression and Neglect', to improve the conditions of children working in cotton fields. The first pha

The cornerstone of this manual is the concept that children have the right to a safe and protective environment. They have the right to grow up in families that are free of violence and receive the care they need to develop. These rights are set out in th

This report is a joint publication by ActionAid, Plan West Africa Regional Office, Save the Children Sweden West Africa, and UNICEF West and Central Africa Regional Office, as part of their joint Education and Protection Initiative that was launched follo

The year 2014 marks 35 years since Sweden introduced a ban on all forms of violent and emotionally abusive treatment of children. In so doing, Sweden became the first country in the world to prohibit violence as a means of child-rearing. Many countries ha

This book, "How to increase discipline and respect in our classrooms: Alternatives to corporal punishment", can become a valuable reference tool for directors, principals, teachers, students, parents and guardians. It provides information, methodological

This Guide examines various forms of violence in schools and their consequences for education. It offers ten actions to prevent and stop violence in schools with practical examples that teachers can adapt in the classroom. Moreover, the guide brings sugge